Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
Planting vegetables in water…Hydroponics farming rapidly becoming popular
Persons from all across the world are becoming innovative with their farming techniques, and ever since the infamous 2005 floods in Guyana, some of these methods have been rapidly growing in popularity here.
Unconventional agricultural techniques like the Shadehouse Hydroponics are today being used at both the commercial and domestic levels.
The hydroponics system is basically Guyana’s way of adapting to climate change. It entails growing plants in water as opposed to soil, the traditional base.
Old sneakers being used as a receptacle to plant Celery
According to Kelvin Craig, Project Manager of the Shadehouse Project Phase Two, these methods are not only creative and easy to follow, but they can also result in long term financial savings for investors.
“With the raised-beds system, these are not planted on the ground, so I believe that’s what people like about it the most. You don’t have to go down in the muddy farms and so,” Craig said.
The roots of plants are placed in a container of water mixed with the necessary nutrients, and the upper part of the plant is separated from the liquid and held firm, using Styrofoam.
Because it does not require lots of yard space and hard manual labour, this method of farming is rapidly becoming popular among those living in the rural areas.
In an effort to get more people on board, Partners of the Americas, in collaboration Caribbean Self-Reliance International (CASRI) is spearheading a programme for Guyanese, under the theme, ‘Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Economic Growth through Hydroponic and Organic Vegetation Production and Marketing.’
The project on hydroponics farming is funded by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) and the Japanese Trust Fund.
Not only have the new planting technologies mushroomed along the traditional soil-based agricultural zones on the low-lying coastlands, but they are also spreading along other regions, including those hilly areas, which possesses abundance in sand and clay materials.
Craig said that persons interested in practicing this method of farming would find it especially easy, since they could make use of materials, which are usually thrown out, including old sneakers, Styrofoam soup bowls, milk tins, and old kitchen utensils.
He noted that when starting, persons are advised to start off their process with simple cash crops, like celery, lettuce, cabbages, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, calaloo, pakchoi, and even cauliflower.
Craig told this newspaper that the shadehouse method of farming is simple and inexpensive. He explained that in addition to the hydroponics technique, there are others where a mixture of white sand and paddy shells provides the foundation for the plants.
Also, with the shadehouse farming method, the plant receptacles are kept under a shelter made with UV plastic and mesh, which make up the shadehouse. This is to prevent the sun’s radiation and insects from getting to the vegetables.
The plants in the shadehouses are kept in raised beds, which provide protection against floods. The raised beds are particularly appreciated in places where the soil is not suitable.
“In this case, you can make the suitable soil with the materials available…paddy shells and sand included…and in the courses that we provide, we explain how this can be done,” the Project Manager said.
Kelvin Craig displays the water underneath the Styrofoam, as part of the hydroponics method of farming
He noted that with the use of the shadehouse methods, crops harvested would be pest free. It also helps in saving the planet…”Especially since it requires a lot of recycling and so, because persons can make organic manure and all of these things.”
The trainings also entail persons learning how to choose the right pesticides, and more importantly how to make organic ones.
“Those interested in getting into the simple and easy-to-complete programme can call or visit the Saint Stanislaus farm located at Lot 69 Sophia Backlands, Greater Georgetown. Trainings are ongoing on a daily basis and the response so far has been tremendous,” Craig told Kaieteur News.
He urged that not only is farming a good thing for the environment, but it is also good in ensuring food security.
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